The Nike Zegama 2. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Nike Zegama 2 ($180) has some notable adjustments from the unique design. The replace retains the unique shoe’s delicate, energetic ZoomX foam within the midsole whereas including a layer of SR-02 foam to enhance stability. Additional, it incorporates a Vibram Megagrip outsole rubber for higher traction and a clean engineered-mesh higher that’s designed to be extra supportive and sturdy.
When the primary Nike Zegama launched in 2022, it was the primary path operating shoe to characteristic Nike’s bouncy ZoomX midsole foam. I received a pair in June 2023, and I nonetheless haven’t forgotten that first run on a locals’ favourite eight-mile loop known as the Wolfslug, which entails a nice mixture of gradual climbing, punchy powerhiking, and an extended, non-technical descent on a gravel highway. Propelled by the ZoomX foam, I bounded up the climb in a state of pure bliss. On the descent, I appreciated how the plush cushion eradicated any discomfort from the highway’s rocky floor and the way these footwear devoured up miles like Zach Miller with that banana on the Courmayeur support station in the course of the 2023 UTMB.
However, I had two gripes with the unique mannequin. One, it was much less steady than different cushioned footwear, just like the Hoka Speedgoat 5 (evaluation), and I observed it aggravating my heel and Achilles tendon on technical trails. Moreover, it didn’t grip in addition to my different favourite path trainers, particularly on moist rocks and creek crossings. The excellent news is that Nike has addressed each of those points in its up to date design.
With this replace, the shoe noticed a slight bump in weight, however a U.S. males’s 9 nonetheless is available in at an precise weight of 10.8 ounces (305 grams). The shoe retains the unique mannequin’s 4-millimeter drop. A U.S. males’s 10 has 36-millimeter and 32-millimeter whole stack heights on the heel and toe, whereas a U.S. ladies’s 8 has stack heights which might be one millimeter much less throughout the board.
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Nike Zegama 2 Higher
A lateral view of the Nike Zegama 2.
The engineered-mesh higher on the Nike Zegama 2 is one space the place the shoe received a key replace. Shifting away from the perforated mesh of the unique mannequin, the second model boasts a clean and durable single-layer mesh that offers an impression of sturdiness. I’ve put about 200 path miles on my first pair of Nike Zegamas, and the uppers present no vital put on. Whereas I’ve solely received about 75 miles on the Nike Zegama 2 to date, I’m impressed that the higher nonetheless seems like new. My hunch is that clean mesh with smaller perforations will maintain up even higher than the unique as a result of it should resist snags and abrasion — although I’ll want extra time in these footwear to make sure. Lastly, the brand new higher equals its predecessor in each breathability and general consolation.
The shoe options the identical stretchy ankle gaiter and heel loop as the primary iteration. Whereas the ankle gaiter is primarily designed to maintain rocks and particles from getting contained in the shoe, I’ve discovered its largest profit is added sturdiness. I are inclined to scuff the within of my footwear’ heel collars and shortly type put on spots, and the built-in gaiter helps cut back the wear and tear charge on this a part of the shoe. It’s additionally price noting that whereas the unique shoe had a skinny, laser-cut tongue, the brand new model has a padded, reasonably cushioned tongue. I anticipate this to be welcome information to runners preferring to have a little bit of cushion on the high of their foot.
Curiously, Nike particularly states that the brand new model affords a wider match than the unique mannequin. Right here, I’d disagree. In a side-by-side comparability with one foot in every shoe, the brand new model has an undoubtedly snugger match. It hugs my foot and locks it into place, whereas the older mannequin leaves somewhat wiggle room, particularly across the forefoot and midfoot. The brand new design additionally has much less quantity within the entrance — actually, one among our testers couldn’t use it as a result of it was too tight. Since I’ve an extended, slim, and medium-volume foot, it matches me like a glove, although I nonetheless choose the marginally roomier really feel of the unique.
Throughout testing, I used to be shocked by how lengthy it took to interrupt on this shoe, and I believe that its hug-like match was a part of the rationale my toes felt tingly after 90 minutes of operating, even after greater than 40 miles within the shoe. As such, primarily based on my expertise with each variations of the shoe, I’d not suggest the up to date model for runners with a large or high-volume foot, particularly those that tried the primary fashion and determined it was too cosy. On the flip aspect, runners with slim toes or those that choose a very locked-down match would possibly uncover this shoe as their new favourite.
Nike Zegama 2 Midsole
A medial view of the Nike Zegama 2.
As with the unique, the most important story with the Nike Zegama 2 is its use of ZoomX foam within the extremely cushioned midsole. You could find the identical foam within the model’s highest-performing racing footwear, together with the Nike Alphafly 3, Nike Vaporfly 3, and Nike Ultrafly (evaluation). Nike says the ZoomX foam is light-weight, responsive, and offers the very best power return of all its shoe foams. On this level, I agree. This foam is what gave me the bouncy, easy feeling on that first run within the authentic model — and left my legs feeling just like the hilly, eight-mile run had taken nothing out of them. Nonetheless, the trade-off with this plush foam is a much less steady journey, one thing I observed with the primary iteration and which led me to cease carrying the shoe on technical trails.
That is addressed within the Nike Zegama 2 with the addition of a layer of SR-02 foam across the ZoomX foam for elevated safety, sturdiness, and stability. SR-02 is a sort of EVA foam that’s stiff, agency, and dense. Once I took the brand new model out for a spin, I instantly observed the distinction, even earlier than I noticed that Nike had modified the midsole. The draw back of this transformation is that it has much less of that bouncy, energetic really feel. The profit, nonetheless, is that the shoe feels decidedly extra steady. Whereas I miss the rebound of the primary Nike Zegama, I really feel extra assured taking the newer model onto steep and technical trails.
It’s additionally vital to notice that, as I briefly talked about above, it took me a very long time to interrupt in these footwear — almost 50 miles. Along with the higher, I believe the rationale for this consists of the agency SR-02 midsole foam. Whereas my preliminary experiences with the Nike Zegama final June may very well be described as enjoyable, carefree, and joyful, this new shoe required endurance. On the one hand, though I instantly observed the shoe felt firmer and fewer bouncy than its predecessor, it wasn’t uncomfortable on shorter runs. Nonetheless, once I wore the shoe for longer durations, I observed that my toes began to really feel achy, sizzling, and tingly after about 90 minutes — and I used to be shocked how lengthy this expertise continued. Lastly, after placing 60 or 70 miles on them, I finished having any discomfort on longer runs, even as much as two and a half hours.
Nike Zegama 2 Outsole
The outsole of the Nike Zegama 2.
Maybe probably the most noteworthy replace to the Nike Zegama 2 is the addition of Vibram Megarip to its outsole. I discussed above that the primary model didn’t grip effectively on moist rocks and may very well be downright treacherous in creek crossings. Many different manufacturers use Vibram Megagrip for the outsoles of their path trainers — together with Altra, Hoka, Topo, New Steadiness, Scarpa, and others — and for good motive. This rubber compound has confirmed its efficiency on each moist and dry rocky terrain and trails.
Other than the rubber, the brand new outsole includes a lug sample just like the unique. The multi-directional design helps the shoe grip steep trails and free surfaces, whether or not you’re going up or down. Throughout testing, I observed the shoe’s improved efficiency on steep trails at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon, the place small, free rocks can act as ball bearings. Even on these difficult path surfaces, I remained upright and will confidently belief my footing.
Nike Zegama 2 Total Impressions
A high view of the Nike Zegama 2.
The Nike Zegama 2 is a maximally cushioned path operating shoe that’s ultimate for runners who’re placing in lengthy miles, although it may additionally function a snug day by day coach for any distance on a mixture of path, gravel, and roads. Whereas I’m solely 75 miles into this shoe, it’s proving to be a sturdy design to date — notably, the higher reveals virtually no put on. The earlier model of this shoe can be in good situation after 200 miles, so this offers me extra confidence on this one.
Whereas this shoe took about 50 miles to interrupt in, it’s gotten extra snug with time, and I’ve no complaints about its efficiency. It’s price noting, nonetheless, the shoe is firmer and far much less bouncy than its predecessor. Nonetheless, it’s additionally extra steady.
The largest limiting issue for the Nike Zegama 2 is its match. This shoe is right for individuals with slim and low-volume toes, and people with large toes or excessive arches might discover it too constricting. Though Nike states that the brand new shoe is wider than the earlier model, I discovered the alternative to be true. Lastly, it’s not the lightest shoe. The Hoka Speedgoat 5, by comparability, weighs 20 grams much less. Nonetheless, I’ve by no means skilled the Nike Zegama 2 as clunky or cumbersome, and I believe it could be an ideal alternative for ultrarunning, so long as you just like the match.
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